Testimonial 1

We moved our children to Sassafras Primary School in 2014 from another local school when we realised that our kids were slipping through the cracks at the other school. ​Sassafras Primary School has been such a wonderful choice. The school motto "Nurturing Excellence" sums up the character of the school perfectly. Being a small school with small classes and first rate teachers, our children have been given the time and attention that they both needed. The close community within the school makes a happy school environment and the beautiful, extensive grounds provide a rich source of stimulation and imagination - just what growing kids need.

Each of our children has benefited greatly from their time at Sassafras Primary School. Not only have they received the academic tuition to help them excel but the nurturing to support them as they grow and mature.

Thank you to Cathy and all the staff for the passion and care they provide to the children of Sassafras.

Richard Cullen​15 May 2016

Testimonial 2

Sonja and I first visited Sassafras Primary School a few years ago with Beki, and we were excited with the strong sense of community and family.

We observed that the children delight in going to school, and are confident and happy in their school environment. Now a couple of years into Beki’s education at ‘Sassy’, we are so pleased that the school continues to provide a happy, nurturing environment, so that the students can each achieve their personal best in all areas of the curriculum. Beki’s confidence, spelling skills, reading fluency and interest in literacy have improved remarkably during this time.

The children are genuinely loved here, and the teachers are highly skilled and knowledgeable. Expectations of behaviour and learning are high, but reinforced gently and with genuine warmth and empathy for the young students and their social and emotional well being. It is in the development of relationships between staff, pupils and their families that ‘Sassy’ really comes into its own. The care and kindness permeates through the school ethos and support the school vision statement encapsulating Respect, Persistence, Responsibility and Integrity. The approach is one of education into a journey of living and learning.

Sonja and I consider it a privilege that Beki is being carefully nurtured (in ‘that Sassy way’) emotionally, academically and socially. Beki has always been encouraged to grow, and develop her confidence and skills.

Sassafras Primary School has provided Beki with a fantastic platform to confidently progress to the challenges of senior education, and later life. The genuine warmth of the staff makes ‘Sassy’ Primary a truly special place.

Gavin & Sonja Hooper​11 May 2016

Testimonial 3

Dear Cathy, Stacey, Matt, Joanne, Michelle and MelI meant to write this letter to you all at the end of Lawrence’s first week, way back at the start of Term 3. Now we’re well into term 4 and looking forward to the end of the school year, the school’s 120th anniversary celebrations today highlighted all of the positive views Jeaniene and I have and gave me a prompt to finally express our thanks.

Thanks to everyone for the tremendously warm welcome you gave to Lawrence and all of the family when we arrived into sassafras back in July. We were nervous about Lawrence starting a new school midway through the school year, for the second year in a row. He found it tough last year. Joining Sassafras Primary school was completely different – he was so happy at the end of his first day and at the end of the first week. He thought his teacher, Stacey, was ‘brilliant’ and he has settled and made friends very quickly. I think all of us feel at home at the school after a surprisingly short period of time.

Jeaniene and I really appreciate the efforts the school has made to be inclusive with regard to Lawrence’s dietary requirements. From the ease Rachel and Kathy have taken it on with the school lunch orders, to the determination of Cathy and Stacey, for Lawrence not to have a different meal at the school sleepover, it really has made a difference.

There are so many highlights already for us to look back on. The school sleepover was a source of great excitement in anticipation and Lawrence has loved it. As I slept on the floor of the staff room, on a camping mattress that had not been used for nearly 20 years, so no longer inflated, I realised that the mystery I had from my school years of what went non in staff rooms had also deflated. The school production was the best I have ever seen – the first that was genuinely entertaining and amusing. Seeing the smiling faces of all the children as they sang on stage together will be a lasting memory, as will the impromptu performance at the end of term assembly. ‘Fly baby fly’ is still a popular (depending on who you ask) refrain on car journeys with Stella, our four year old daughter, not to be outdone. Today’s celebrations also highlighted the pride, enthusiasm and strong sense of community around the school.

I have been struck by how happy and lovely all the students are, something that is particularly noticeable when I have been at the school during the day and necessarily easily noticed. I like the fact that I can show up at the school at any time and be welcomed and assisted. I also appreciate how accessible you all are and that you are always around at the end of the school day. When you have been away - on leave, or on camp, I’ve been surprised how much I’ve missed not seeing you around.

Stella loves coming to the school with the preschool and having stories read to her by the ‘\’the big kids’. It’s a lovely thing for the school to do and a credit to everyone who reads the stories to the preschool children.The school has a rich and proud history after 120 years, a history you have all contributed to. I look forward to Lawrence and Stella being a part of the school’s history. Iam sure they will both look back warmly on their time at the school and that the school will have played a positive part in shaping them as individuals.

Jeaniene and I are enjoying being members of the school community and have made friends much faster than we did when we moved from overseas to the city. It is lovely living somewhere with a sense of community. We only wish we had moved here quicker.

Enjoy the chocolates and have a giggle about what has been said in the classrooms over the course of the morning. We think you are all fantastic and deeply appreciate what you are doing for Lawrence and all the pupils.Many thanks to you allPete and Jeaniene16 November 2014

Testimonial 4

SPS. School Council President's Report

​Some time ago, we as a school council, looked into our school motto and whether we needed to change it. I was one of those keen to keep it and we did so after examining the alternatives. “Nurturing Excellent” is a wonderful goal and sitting at Assembly this morning reminded me how well we are doing it.

Our school provides many opportunities for our children to develop in areas not normally provided for in the normal curriculum. Be it public speaking (with the sporting news), leadership (running Assembly) or goal setting (our Declaration), our Monday morning Assembly is one small way that our children are equipped to better themselves.

Another feature of our school is the strong sense of community, which is another way (albeit unstructured) of nurturing excellence in our children. The sense of belonging is critical to adults and children alike and my recent attendance at a birthday party of mostly new families highlighted how tangible this is. Children will achieve their best when they are secure, confident and connected.

Nurturing excellence can also be seen in our recent success with students competing at District, Regional and even Zone Level for school athletics. Good luck also for the girls tag rugby team. Music is yet another area where our school provides for our children’s education, both in a classroom setting and individually with instrument tuition.

Nurturing excellence in our children happens because of the community to which we all belong.

Julian Clarke20 October 2014

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